A7S IIvs A7S III
Sony
A7S II (2015)
From £799
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
View A7S II
Which should you buy?
Low-Light Video, Documentary & Available-Light Filmmaking — A7S II (2015): A landmark in mirrorless history — the first Sony with IBIS and internal 4K, its low-light video capability still impresses today at a used-market price.
Professional Video & Low-Light Filmmaking — A7S III (2020): If video is your primary discipline, the A7S III is the camera. 4K/120p at 10-bit in a weather-sealed body with a 9.44M dot EVF is an extraordinary package. The 12MP sensor isn't limiting for video — and it's usable at ISO 409,600 in a pinch.
Who should buy what
A7S II (2015)
- Filmmakers and videographers who want legendary low-light performance at a used-price discount
- Documentary shooters working in unpredictable available light conditions
- A7S III shooters who want a second Sony FE body for backup or B-camera use
- Budget-conscious video producers who want full-frame 4K with S-Log at an accessible price
A7S III (2020)
- Filmmakers and videographers who need 4K/120p at 10-bit
- Event videographers who shoot in dark venues regularly
- Documentary filmmakers who need reliable AF and weather sealing
- Hybrid shooters where video is primary and stills are secondary
Quick take: The a7s ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7S II (2015) | A7S III (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £799 | £2,999 |
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS (12-bit, back-illuminated) |
| Resolution | 12.1MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 | 4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/60p 10-bit S-Cinetone/S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards | Phase-detect, 759 points, real-time Eye AF (human & animal), subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) | 5.5-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 5fps continuous | 10fps mechanical |
| Battery Life | ~370 shots (CIPA) | ~600 shots (CIPA) / ~70min continuous 4K recording |
| Weight | 584g body only | 699g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | OLED EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification — best EVF Sony has made |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.44M dots |
| Mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-I slots | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II (both slots) |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7S II | A7S III |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Travel | — |
More comparisons with A7S II
Camera family history